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Some places in Arizona ask for an hour of your time. This one asks for the whole afternoon, and honestly, it earns it.
Tucked into a Phoenix shopping center sits a store so packed with books, records, guitars, video games, and oddball trinkets that people describe getting happily lost in it for three hours straight. Longtime Arizonans have wandered these aisles for years, and folks visiting from out of state leave wishing their hometown had something even close.
It is part bookstore, part music shop, part treasure hunt, and part memory lane all under one very large roof. Keep reading to find out where it hides, what makes it so easy to lose track of time inside, and how to plan a visit that actually does it justice.
The Phoenix Store That Swallows Your Whole Day
Along North 19th Avenue in Phoenix, a sprawling shop called Bookmans Phoenix Entertainment Exchange has quietly become one of the city’s most beloved indoor destinations. You will find it at 8034 N 19th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85021, parked inside a shopping center with plenty of room to leave the car.
Calling it a used book store barely scratches the surface. The place buys, sells, and trades used books, music, movies, video games, and musical instruments, which means the shelves shift and change from one week to the next.
With a 4.5-star standing across more than 7,000 opinions, it has earned a reputation as a spot worth planning around rather than squeezing in. People routinely say the size alone can catch you off guard.
Regulars talk about walking in for one specific book and drifting out an hour later with an armful of surprises. That kind of gentle chaos is exactly the point, and it is why so many locals treat a trip here like a real outing.
A Labyrinth of Shelves and Surprises
Getting turned around inside is almost a rite of passage here. Shoppers frequently describe the layout as a maze, with book areas winding in ways that make it easy to lose your bearings and even easier to lose track of time.
The scale is the headline feature. One person visiting from Texas called it massive and pointed to a labyrinth of books, decor, trinkets, puzzles, glassware, movies, video games, and more.
Not everyone finds the maze charming right away. A few mention that new and used books sit mixed together on the same shelves, and that the section signs can be tricky to spot, which adds to the overwhelmed feeling on a first trip.
Still, that sense of never quite knowing what waits around the corner is a big part of the appeal. Wandering slowly, rather than hunting with a checklist, tends to be the way people enjoy it most.
Walls of Books for Every Reader
Books remain the beating heart of the whole operation, and the selection runs deep. Shelves cover genre fiction, literature, and popular new releases, and shoppers say the marking on everything is generally clear once you get the hang of the sections.
Pricing on used books tends to follow a pattern. For newer titles, the tag often lands around 50 percent of the publisher price plus a small addition, while other books are simply priced as they are.
Good deals surface all the time. One shopper walked away with a well-known novel for around seven dollars, plus a stack of other finds during a leisurely daytime browse.
Themed tables get a lot of love too, quietly steering readers toward books they never planned on grabbing. A word of caution though: a few folks note that brand-new titles can run higher here than at big chain bookstores, so the real bargains live in the used stacks.
A Paradise for Physical Media Fans
For anyone who still loves holding a disc or dropping a needle on vinyl, this corner of the store feels like a small victory. The movie section spans DVDs, Blu-ray, and 4K UHD discs, all kept in tidy order.
Music runs just as deep. There is a solid vinyl records selection, a notably big CD section, and steady praise for how easy it is to flip through and actually find something.
One music fan on a Blu-ray collecting quest found the movie shelves well organized and simple to navigate. That kind of order matters when the store itself is so large.
People who care about owning their media rather than renting it digitally speak about the place with real affection. In a time of vanishing digital licenses, having shelves this stocked with tangible movies and music feels like a genuine reason to make the trip.
Games, Consoles, and Retro Finds
Gamers tend to make a beeline for the cabinets, and for good reason. The store carries video games, consoles, and controllers, along with a gallery-style setup that draws in both nostalgia hunters and current players.
Families come here to trade in old gear too. One parent picked up a Switch game and completed a first trade-in with helpful guidance from the counter staff, walking away pleased.
Not every note is glowing. A longtime game shopper points out that some harder-to-find used titles now carry steep tags, and mentions that display lighting can wear on box art over time.
Even so, the sheer range keeps drawing people back. Between classic cartridges and newer releases sitting side by side, browsing this section can eat up a surprising chunk of the afternoon.
Guitars, Banjos, and a Wall of Music Gear
Turn a corner and you might run straight into a wall of instruments. Guitars, ukuleles, banjos, amps, strings, and assorted gear all live here, making it far more than a place for pages and discs.
Musicians talk up both the acoustic and electric guitar selection. The instrument counter earns steady mentions, and people say the prices offered on used gear tend to be genuinely appealing.
The trade angle works both ways. Folks bring in their own like-kind instruments and gear for cash or store credit, which keeps the inventory fresh and always a little different.
Instruments are one of the most talked-about features across the whole store, popping up in hundreds of comments. Whether you play seriously or just want to strum something new, this stretch of the shop rewards a slow browse.
Trinkets, Collectibles, and a Kids Corner
Beyond the media and instruments waits a whole world of odds and ends. A back section brims with knick-knacks, cups, bowls, home decor, jewelry, collectible pins, Funko figures, and enough board games and puzzles to keep game night stocked for years.
Collectibles are a genuine draw, mentioned again and again by people who love hunting for the unusual. Comic books, stickers, crafting supplies, and vintage curiosities all turn up between the shelves.
Families get their own dedicated space too. A children’s section in the back stocks books, toys, and learning resources, giving younger readers a spot of their own while grown-ups browse.
The variety is so wide that one shopper joked you can find nearly everything here except food and clothing. That grab-bag quality is exactly what turns a quick stop into an all-day adventure.
Planning Your Visit and Trade Tips
Timing helps a lot when a store is this big. Doors open at 9 AM daily, with closing at 8 PM most nights and a later 9 PM finish on Fridays and Saturdays, so weekend evenings give you the widest window to roam.
Getting there is easy from around the Valley. The shopping center offers ample parking, and the store keeps a reputation for being clean and well organized despite its maze-like feel.
Thinking of trading in your own stuff? Bring it to the counter and staff will sort through it, offering store credit or cash, with cash typically coming in around half of the credit amount.
Offers depend on condition and what the store needs at the time, so results can vary.
A couple of practical notes round things out. Well-behaved leashed dogs are welcome, and the staff earns frequent praise for being friendly and helpful, though a few shoppers have flagged that the exit area could be friendlier for wheelchair access.
